A well-functioning feeder transport concept anchors the logistics of MM Kotkamills' new paper cutting plant

MM Kotkamills' new paper cutting plant is in full operation. The first sheet cutter was started in March and the second one in mid-April, says ?Logistics Manager Juha Ottelin?.?

MM Kotkamills invests approximately EUR 30 million in two state-of-the-art sheet cutting machines built at MM Kotkamills and related automated ancillary functions. The objective of the investment is to strengthen MM Kotkamills' position as a supplier of cardboard sheets in the European cardboard market as the packaging industry's needs grow.

The investment decision for the cutting facility was made about a year and a half ago, because MM Kotkamills lacked one of its own: cut products had, of course, been delivered to customers before, according to the customer's wishes, but the cutting process had been left to subcontractors. ?

“We wanted to start doing the cutting ourselves, because there was an opportunity to save not only on operating costs, but also, for example, on logistics costs,” says Juha Ottelin.?

In addition, it is now possible to recover the cutting waste generated by the facility: “The waste will remain in our use as raw material.”?

Significant move to prepare for the future?

The construction of the cutting facility progressed under an auspicious star: work began in February 2023 and the topping-out ceremony was held in the summer of 2023. Production started in early 2024 and now both sheet cutters are already in full swing.?

“The operation has started smoothly,” confirms Ottelin. The investment created roughly 30 new jobs in Kotka.

Ottelin describes the new cutting facility as a move that will prepare for the future. “We are still not self-sufficient in sheet production, but this is still an important strategic investment for us.”

Steveco is responsible for feeder traffic between the factory and the warehouse, i.e. from the factory directly to Steveco's terminals in Hietanen and the terminal warehouse in Mussalo.

“Together, we have created a tailored solution that serves the cutting facility as well as possible,” says Steveco's Forwarding Manager ?Tuomas Tiainen.

This means that the rollers and sheets can be taken directly from the belt to Steveco's own feeder vehicle, which carries them to Hietanen or Mussalo.

“The feeder car has an automatic binding device, which saves time and effort,” says Tiainen. The sheet run differs somewhat from the roll run: since sheets are typically the end product, the sheets must be treated more carefully than raw rolls.

Avoiding both under and overcapacity!?

The cutting facility does not have its own warehouse, but instead has four trailers that are used as “loading containers” before the goods are delivered to the feed truck.

“What we have sought here is optimization and an avoidance of overcapacity. Four trailers and one car seems good for efficiency,” says Juha Ottelin.

Logistics mustn’t hit a snag in an industrial operation, as that will be costly. Ottelin is pleased that the logistics of the cutting facility are handled by reliable partner Steveco.

“We have a good and long partnership behind us and plans and agreements also in place for the future,” says Ottelin and adds that, in addition to Steveco's expertise, the equipment has also been smartly designed to streamline the operation.

All channels open?

Tuomas Tiainen believes that what’s behind a successful partnership is effective communication in the field:

“Continuous dialogue is needed to make things work. I think that we have been very successful in that regard,” says Tiainen.

Ottelin points out that Steveco also offered to help when there was a shortage of space just recently:

“We got more space from Steveco in Mussalo when we needed terminal space,” says Ottelin, adding on that flexibility is a golden attribute in a subcontractor.

“Steveco knows our business well and is always quick to come to our aid when needed.”

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?MM Group

-????????? Europe's leading manufacturer of cardboard and cardboard packaging

-????????? range also includes special laminated paper and uncoated fine paper

-????????? promotes sustainability through innovative, recyclable packaging and paper products made from renewable fibre-based raw materials

-????????? Austrian group with a turnover of about EUR 3.5 billion; employs about 12,800 people

-????????? The products of the MM Kotkamills Kotka factory include food-grade ALASKA??? consumer packaging cartons and special laminate paper Absorbex??.

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Text: Sami Anteroinen